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TOY RAILWAY SWITCH THROWING MECHANISM 2 sneet-sneez 2 Original FiledAug. 8, 192B bweibior E.

William Reissued June 25, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TOY RAILWAY SWITCH THROWING MECHANISM William E. Haupt, Eddystone, Pa.,assignor, by direct and me'sne assignments, to The Lionel Corporation,New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original No. 2,079,251, datedMay 4, 1937, Serial No. 298,265, August 8, 1928.

Application for reissue April 5, 1939, Serial No. 266,234

30 Claims.

adapted to greater flexibility and sureness of switch control by thetrains themselves.

A further purpose is to provide electrical means for operating a toytrain switch automatically using electrical circuits closed by thetrains when they approach the switch from one of the branch lines toprevent derailing if improperly set.

A further purpose is to provide an electric lock operative to keep a toytrain switch locked during the passage of the train over the switch andthat leaves the switch free to be operated elec trically when the trainis not at the switch.

A further purpose is, to provide a toy railroad with alternativedesirable forms of railroad switch-operating circuits and alternativedesirable forms of electric contact members.

A further purpose is to provide a toy railroad with a desirable form ofswitch operating solenoid magnet.

tion and in the claims.

I have elected to show one main form only, with minor detailmodifications of my invention, selecting a form. that is practical andefficient in operation and which well illustrates the principlesinvolved.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a section of trackincluding a switch with a single track on one side and two tracks on theother side, the switch being adapted to connect the single track beforethe switch alternatively to either track after the switch, withelectrical connections embodying one form of my invention for operatingthe switch by the travel of the trains as modified by the hand operationof an operator;

In Figure la. I have shown diagrammatically by single lines and to muchreduced scale indicating the tracks, a plurality of tracks, loops andswitch locations representing any one of ,a great variety of settings inwhich my invention may be used.

Figure 2 is a section taken upon the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing awheel element of a train and contact equipment of my invention, both notshown in Figure 1, carrying selectively adjustable contact members uponthe train.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken upon the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken upon the line 4'4 of Figure 1.

Further purposes will appear in the specifica- Figures 5 to 9 arediagrammatic fragmentary views illustrating different forms of electricconnections for the setting of the switch by the approach of the trainfrom the two-track side of the switch, each form being perhaps undersome conditions preferable to any of the others.

Figures 10 and 11 are enlarged sections through a rail and rail contactmember, adapted to close a circuit to operate or hold the switch when atrain wheel engages the rail at the contact member, Figure 10 showingdiagrammatic electrical connections as for a section taken upon the lineHl-l 0 of Figure 1 and Figure 11 having diagrammatic electricalconnections as for a section upon the line l0l0 of Figure 1.

Like numerals refer to like parts in all figures.

Describing in illustration and not in limitation and referring to thedrawings:

Referring to Figure 1, a switch section I9 is pivoted at II so as to beadapted to connect the track section l2 before the switch with eitherone of the track sections l3 and 14 after the switch.

A usual insulated third rail I5 is shown for feeding current to suitablemotors on the trains, as indicated diagrammatically at It on a trainelement ll, the motor I6 having suitable operating connection, notshown, to the driving wheels I8 of the train and being electrically fedfrom the third rail by means of a suitable shoe collector l9.

The third rail portion that is inside the switch section is made widerthan elsewhere be- .cause the shoe collector l9 has here to travelalternatively diverging paths, the third rail being wide enough tocontact with the shoe whichever branch the train takes.

The tops of the fixed rail sections 2| and 22 that cross the divergingbranches of the third rail near the pivoted end of the switch Ill areinsulated where they cross the diverging branches of the third rail, at23 and 24 respectively, to avoid shorting the train motors when the shoecollectors are in simultaneous contact with the third rail and eitherone of the rail sections The third rail dips down underneath the fixedsections 2| and 22, forking to make connection at 25 and 26 to the thirdrails in the diverging track sections l3 and I4.

The'switch II) is operated by a link rod 21 which is pivotally connectedat one end to the switch and at the other end to a brass rod 28 thatcarries an armature 29 coaxial with and adapted to be surrounded byeither one of two longitudinally spaced solenoids 30 and 3|.

The composite rod 28, 29, and 291 is desirably of uniform section andcomprises brass end portions 28 and 28' and the soft-iron armature 29between the brass ends.

The rod is longitudinally slidable in bearings 32 and 33 that maydesirably be iron and form integral portions of an iron bracket forsupporting the solenoids and that includes iron portions 34 and 35 whichare adapted to complete the magnetic circuits when the armature is atthe respective ends of its travel.

The armature 29 carries a laterally extending iron arm 36 whichcompletes a magnetic circuit from the armature through the arm 36 and,members 35 and 33 back to the armature when the solenoid 3| is energizedand has pulled the armature to one end of its travel, that to connectthe track sections I2 and I3; and when the solenoid 3|! is energized (ifsolenoid 3| be then on open circuit) the armature 36 moves to the otherend of its travel, stopping against the iron member 34, setting theswitch to connect the track sections I2 and I4, and the magnetic circuitis completed from the armature 29 through the arm 36 and iron members 34and 32 back to the armature.

The armature is resiliently held to place when in either one of its twoset positions by a suitable spring latch member 29 so as to hold theswitch to place when the solenoids are deenergized.

It will be seen that if either solenoid is energized while the other ison open circuit the armature moves into position to set the switch toone of the diverging tracks while if the other solenoid is energized andthe first is on open circuit, the switch is set to the other divergingtrack portion.

A suitable source of current, such as a. battery 38 has one terminalgrounded at 39 and its other terminal electrically connected at 49 tothe adjoining terminals of both solenoids.

The other terminals 4| and 42 respectively of the solenoids areconnected preferably alternatively. to different contact members 43, 44and 45 before the switch on the single track portion I2, and arerespectively electrically connected to contact members 46 and 41 in thediverging tracks l3 and 4.

Neither solenoid can pull the armature away from the other while theother is energized and either can pull it from the other if the other isnot energized.

The track rails 48 are also grounded, at 49.

It will be evident that, with the connections indicated, grounding anyone of the contact members 43, 44, 45, 46 or 41 will energize one orother of the solenoid coils 39 and 3|, definitely setting the switch IIIto one branch track or the other during the period of grounding. Myinvention is directed to very considerable extent to the indicatedelectric circuits and the cooperating contact members adapting thecircuits to be selectively closed by the passing of the trains asmodified by selective hand setting of contact members not on the train.

One of the other important features of my invention is directed at theelectrical connections for maintaining the setting of the switchwhenever a train is on the switch.

I accomplish this by making the train close an electric circuit throughthe solenoid to which the armature 29 and arm 36 are set, positioningthe switch to its set position, as long as the train is on the switch. Ipreferably at this time energize only one of the solenoids but inspecial cases may energize both solenoids as the hold of the solenoid towhich the arm 36 is temporarily adjacent far overbalances the weak pullof the other solenoid.

The term positioning as used in the specification and claims is intendedto mean firmly positioning in right position for the performance of its,

switch function. Setting thus involves shifting to and holding in rightposition if the switch is first out of right position or, if the switchis already in right position, positioning the switch involves merelyholding it in its set position for the insured right performance of itsswitch function.

I mount contact members 59 and in the fixed rails along opposite sidesof the switch (Figures 1 and Both members 50 and 5| are electricallyconnected at 52 to a contact 53 having insulated mounting on the switchoperating rod 21 and which engages either at 54 with a contact connectedwith the solenoid 30 when the switch is set to the branch track I4, orat 55 with a contact connected with the solenoid 3| when the switch isset to the branch track l3.

When a train is at the switch it is always on one or both of the contactmembers 59 and 5| grounding the engaged contact member or members in anysuitable way that is adapted to close an electric circuit through oneorother of the solenoids 30 or 3| according to the position of theswitch, so that the energized solenoid holds the switch in its setposition.

In Figure 10 the contact member 59 is mounted inside the grounded rail48 so as to present its upper surface 56 normally above the top of therail, which is suitably slotted at 51 to pass the top of the member 50.

Insulation resilient support, which may be soft rubber, is indicated at58.

The train wheels I8 depress the member 50 even with the top of the rail49, grounding it through the wheel to the rail.

The contact members 43 and 44 are adapted to be grounded when the trainis traveling along the single track portion |2 toward the switch I0 bycooperating contact members 59, 69, 6|, and 62 that extend radially froman angularly adjustable transverse horizontal shaft member 63 upon thetrain and cooperating grounded rocker members 64 and B5.

The grounded rocker members 64 and 65 are alike. Each is pivoted at 66and spring-pressed at 61 to maintain an arm 68 in the path of one of themembers 59, 60, 6| or 62 on the shaft 63, provided the shaft 63 has aproper angular setting, and the train is traveling toward the switch.

Preferably when the train is traveling away from the switch l0 on to thesingle track I2, it fails to effect grounding of either of the terminals43 and 44 as this might tend to throw the switch while the rearward carsof the train were still passing over it, which is obviously unthesetting of a suitable fourway electric switch member 69.

The shaft member 63 is adapted to be set at each one of four angularlydifferent positions, by means of a spring catch 10. These positions areangularly spaced 90 and at each position one of the four longitudinallyand angularly spaced projections 59, 60, BI, and 62 is down, one of theother projections straight up and the other two projections extendinghorizontal in opposite directions.

The members 59 and 60 are for use in selectively grounding the contacts43 and 44 respectively when the train element carrying the shaft 63 istraveling forward toward the switch, and

the members 62 and BI are for use in grounding the contacts 43 and 44respectively when the train is backing toward the switch III.

The shaft member 63 is set selectively in any one of the four positions,according to which contact member 43 or 44 is to be grounded andaccording to whether the trainis moving forward toward the switch orbacking toward the switch.

The contact members upon the shaft member 63 are angularly spaced 90with respect to one another so as to avoid any interference or operationof any one of the members except the one that is turned down.

The contact member 45 is illustrated as a short rail section normallyinsulated from the adjoining grounded rail sections but electricallyconnected thereto through train wheels when the train wheels (whichare-metal) roll on or off the section, and also (unless the train wheelsare insulated) electrically connected to the opposite rail through thetrain as long as any train wheel is engaging the section.

If desired the same type of contact member l may be used at 45 as isshown at 43 and 44v Inasmuch as the contact member 45 is nearer theswitch I than the members 43 and 44 and is grounded by a train travelingtoward the switch after any grounding of the latter members, the member45 will determine the ultimate setting of the switch providing it isconnected to either one of the solenoids 30 or 3|.

The contact member 41 when grounded will set the switch I0 so as to jointhe tracks I2 and I4 while if the contact member 46 is grounded theswitch is set to join the track sections I2 and I3, and these contactsare respectively grounded whenever trains approach the switch from alongthe respective branch tracks, thereby properly setting the switch forthe trains whenever the switch is not already properly set.

In Figures 1 to 4, the contact members at 4B and 41 are alike, ingeneral accord with those shown at 43 and 44 and adapted to be groundedby the train when the train is traveling toward the switch but not toground when the train is traveling in the reverse direction, thestructurebeing shown in Figure 4 for the contact member 46.

The spring contact 46 comprises a grounded rocker member II, which is,pivoted at I2, spring-pressed at 13 to maintain an arm 14 in position tobe engaged by a suitable member or members 15 on the train, so as to bedeflected away from the contact 46 if the train is traveling away fromthe switch.

The member or members I may be the wheel axles of the cars and engine ormay be a portion of the shaft (i3 out of line, with any of theprojections cooperating with the members 43 and 44.

It is obvious that the cooperating connections on trains and on thetrack for grounding the different contacts 43, 44, 45, 46, 41, 50 and 5|may be widely variant.

Figures 5 to 9 show a few of the many different other ways in which Imay eifect circuit closure for electrical operation of the switch III asthe train passes the designated points on the track near the switch.

In Figure 5 the contact members 46 and 41 comprise insulated sections ofone of the rails 48. These sections are connected respectively to theterminals 42 and 4| of the two solenoids as in Figure 1 and thegrounding is effected by the train wheels to the adjacent track sectionswhen the wheels roll on and off the sections, and during the periodsthat any wheel is on the section, up through the wheel and train to theother .rail, and to grounded portions of the same rail away from theinsulated section.

The form of connection of Figure 5 is advantageous in that it avoids anymoving parts and requires no change whatever in the construction of toytrains of the proper gauge, but is less economical of current than theform of Figures 1 to 4 in that it grounds the contact members when thetrains are traveling away from the switch In as well as when they aretraveling toward the switch I0 and therefore at times energizes thesolenoid without need.

In Figure 6 the contact sections 45 and 41 are suitable rail insetsparallel to and insulated from the adjacent grounded rails 48, andnormally spring pressed upwardly so that the proper solenoid circuit isclosed by the wheel depressing the contact section through the faces ofthe train wheels in the form shown in'Figure or by suitable engagementof the depressed member with a stationary member as indicated in Figure11, either the deflecting member or the stationary member beingconnected to the proper solenoid circuit and the other connected toground.

In Figure 11 an insulated rail section 4'! is electrically connected tothe proper solenoid coil at 42 and resiliently supported upon a softrubber cushion 76 from an. inverted grounded T- member 11 that may berigidly fastened to adjoining rail sections.

The train wheel I6 effects grounding by depressing the rail section 41onto the inverted T-member 11.

In Figure 7 the contact members 46 and 4'! are insulated insets betweeninterrupted sections of the third rail in the respective branch tracks,and as in the other forms are electrically connected to the terminals 4|and 42 of the respective solenoids.

The common terminal 40 of the solenoids is grounded at 19 instead ofgoing to the battery terminal, which connects as before to the thirdrails.

The distance between the interrupted third rail sections is less thanthat between the spaced shoes 80 and 8| of the current collector I9 inorder that the collector may be in continuous electrical connection withthe third rail I5.

As a train is-traveling toward the switch along one of the branchtracks, the forward shoe 80 engages the insulated contact member 46while the other contact member is still on the rearward section of thethird rail and subsequently when the rearward shoe 8| reaches theintermediate member 46 the forward shoe 88 is already on the forwardsection of the third rail so that there are two periods of train travel,each having the length of the member 46 in which the member 46 iselectrically connected through the collector I9 to the third rail andduring which the third rail is therefore grounded through the solenoidcoil 38, to set the switch.

Figure 8 shows the same arrangement as in Figure 7 except that theinsulated contact members 46 and 41 are inset into an uninterruptedthird rail in the same way that the members 46 and 41 (Figure 6)areinset into the track rails.

It will be evident that I have not attempted to show all the differentforms in which the train carried contact may be made effective to throwthe switch. This would be impossible as the number is very great.However, I have tried to show a few representative mechanicalandelectrical ways of causing energization of the proper solenoid and wishthese forms to be considered merely as suggestive.

Usually the circuit for the motor that operates the trains runs from theenergized third rail to the motor and thence returns through the metaltrain to the grounded rails, thence tothe grounded terminal of thebattery, the other terminal of the battery being connected to the thirdrail.

It may sometimes be desirable to use parallel bus rails 82 and 83 asindicated in Figure 9 for operating the driving motor of the train, inwhich case the motor return circuit does not go into the rails.

I show this in Figure 9. The contact members 48' and 41 are insetmembers corresponding to the members 58 and 5| of Figures 1 and 10 ininsulated rail sections 84 and 85 that are electrically connected to oneof the bus bars, as 82, the other bus bar 83 being connected to theterminal 48 common to both solenoids.

The contact members 46 and 41 are respectively connected to the outerterminals 42 and 4| of the solenoids.

A train approaching the switch along the track I3 electrically connectsthe contact members 84 and 46 electrically connecting the live bus barsthrough the solenoid 38, and a train approaching the switch along thetrack |4 electrically connects the live bus bars through the solenoid3|, in each case insuring a proper setting of the switch when the trainreaches it.

In practice the track of the toy railway may contain many switchesadapting the trains to travel in any desired number of different waysfrom one point to a subsequent return to the same point, and it will beunderstood that each one of these switches may be provided with any orall of the features disclosed for the single switch illustrated in thefigures. By the means of the reverse switch 69 the same presetting uponthe train may throw all of the switches in the same direction or varythe direction of switchthrowing.

In operation a manipulator may or may not operate at a single switchonly, making selective settings on the different trains so that theynormally take different paths at given switches but are adapted to besent one way or another by hand manipulation at the contact members 86and 81.

The wire connection 88 (Figure 1) from the section 45 is adapted to begrounded at 81 and also at 86 is adapted to be connected alternativelyto terminals 89 and 98 that are electrically connected respectively tothe solenoid, terminals 4| and 42, so that a manipulator canelectrically operate or definitely set the switch I8 by grounding thesection 45 at 81 and operating the movable contact member 86 to groundeither one of the solenoid coil terminals 4| and 42 after which angrounding of either of the contacts 43 and 44 does not affect theswitch, in that the switch is already set and held to position by anenerglzed coil 88 or 8|. i

If the grounding contact at 81 is left open. a manipulator may at 86connect the section 45 to either solenoid to energize the solenoid whilethe train passes over and grounds the section 45.

In this event the switch |8 might be set. first by the contact 43 or 44,whichever is grounded by the passing of the train and then subsequentlyset by reason of the subsequent passing of the train over the contact45, provided that the manipulator is maintaining the section 44 inconnection with one or other of the solenoid terminals 4| or 42.

If the contact member 81 is grounded the manipulator is free to operatethe switches by throwing the member 86 to the contacts 89 and 98 or toplace the contact member 86 in an intermediate position so as to permitthe operation of the contacts 43 and 44 to send the trains variantlyalong different branches, according to the settings upon the individualtrains.

By reversing the fourway electric switch 69 the operation of all of thesettings upon the individual trains will be reversed.

Obviously the selective contact members carried by the train may be ateach end of the train, as upon the engine at one end and upon a cabooseor other carat the other end, thus adapting the train to set a switchwhen backing toward the switch or going forward toward the switch,either or both, and very wide variations in the operations of thetrains, both automatic and by hand control at the contact members 86 and81, is readily obtainable.

The reversing switch 69 and the electrically operated switch 86 can bothbe hand-thrown by levers which show by their position the solenoidalcircuits to which they correspond, i. e. the normal track switchthrowing which would be caused by them and which can be varied in thecase of the reversing switch 69 as indicated by different setting on thetrain.

If the switch 81 be closed to ground the operating switch 86 becomesoperative when thrown and does not require the presence of a train uponthe track to complete its throwing operation. It energizes the solenoid,but, of course, will not throw the switch if the switch is already inthe position to which this energization corresponds, or if the othersolenoid winding is already energized and is holding the armature.

I It will be seen that switches 69 and 86 considerably overlap in theirfunctions in that each makes it possible to throw a train to one trackthat but for its setting would otherwise go upon the other track, butthey differ in that switch 86 forms a master switch which determines thetrack to which trains coming from the single track end of the switchwill pass, whereas switch 69 merely reverses the initial train settingand would turn to different tracks trains having different initialsetting. If but one train setting were used the switch 69 wouldaccomplish merely what the switch 86 accomplishes when switch 81 isopen.

In so far as the present invention relates to means for automaticallyshifting the switching 1 member or switch tongue H) to place the railelements thereof in position to guide the train trucks from a branchtrack to the common or main track, it is possible to embody the same ina unitary track switch section of conventional external form andinterchangeable with the usual track sections and track switch sectionsof toy railroad track layouts. At the left of Figure 1 appears afragmentary showing of the wheel bearing and third rails and one of thecrossties of a conventional 3-rail toy railroad track section, while atthe right is a similar fragmentary showing of a track section modifiedto embody the insulating contact 45. the fragmentary showing of thesetrack sections are embodied in a structure which is physicallyinterchangeable with the conventional track switch section in common useon toy railroads, as shown, for example, in Caruso Patent 1,919,- 2'72granted July 25, 1933 on application filed March 5, 1927. It istherefore possible to obtain the interchangeable track switch sectionwith anti-derailing controls by incorporating in it one of the switchcontacts 46, 46 46 46 46 45 and one of the switch contacts 41, 41 41 4141 41 41 depending upon the mode of operation desired, and wire the sameto the coils.

The present invention therefore provides a unitary track switch sectioncarrying the main and branch tracks, the guiding rails, the switchtongue, the switch tongue opera-ting means, and electrical controls toplace the switch tongue in the proper position to receive the trucks ofthe train. This unitary track switch section can be completely assembledat the factory and inserted into the track layout without extraneouscontrol for the switch tongue operation means.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications tomeet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident toothers skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of myinvention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claimall such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope ofmy invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a toy railroad, a switch from a single track to alternative branchtracks, a pair of oppositely acting electromagnets connected tooppositely position the switch, electrical circuits for the magnets andconnections thereof on the tracks at points spaced from the switchadapted to selectively close the magnet circuits by the passage of thetrain toward the switch at the said points, and electrical connectionsadapted to be closed by and during the passage of a train over theswitch for energizing the said magnets selectively and thereafter forholding the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.

2. In a toy railroad, a switch, a single track connected to one endthereof and branch tracks to which the switch is adapted to connect itsother end alternately, a pair of electric circuits each including meansrespectively adapted to hold the switch to the one branch track or tothe other branch track, and contact connections in the respectivecircuits at the switch adapted to be closed by a train on the switch.

3. In a toy railroad, a switch, a single track connected to one endthereof and branch tracks to which the switch is adapted to connect itsother end alternately, a pair of electric circuits each including meansrespectively adapted The parts between to hold the switch to the onebranch track or to the other branch track and contact connections at theswitch respectively closed by a train on the switch and when closed,closing the one circuit when the switch is set to the one branch trackand closing the other circuit when the switch is set to the other branchtrack.

4. In a toy electric railway, a Y track switch, switch throw mechanismincluding reversely acting solenoids, one for each track at the twotrackend of the switch for throwing the track switch and connectionsoperating between the car and the track for reversely energizing thesolenoids with operation of the car'on the respective tracks on. thetwo-track end of the Y toward the single track end thereof, and otherconnections to the said solenoids including contacts closed by thepassage of a car at the switch and other contacts selectively closed bythe switch according to the position thereof to selectively energize thesolenoids and thereby hold the switch in its set position while thetrain is on the switch.

5. In a toy electric railway, a Y track switch, switch throw mechanismincluding reversely acting solenoids for shifting the track switch tothe respective tracks at the two-track end of theswitch, hand-controlledmeans for energizing the respective solenoids and connections operatingbetween the car and the track for energizing the solenoids withoperation of the car on the respective tracks on the two-track end ofthe Y toward the single track end thereof, and other connections to thesaid solenoids including contacts closed by the passage of a car at theswitch and other contacts selectively closed by the switch according tothe position thereof to selectively energize the solenoids and therebyhold the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.

6. In a toy electric railway, a Y track switch, switch throw mechanismincluding reversely acting solenoids for shifting the track switch tothe respective tracks at the two-track end of the switch and connectionsoperating between the car and the track for energizing the solenoidswith operation of the car on the respective tracks on the two-track endof the Y toward the single track end thereof, said connections!operating through a contact carried by the car electrically connectingthe. track and a conductor along the track and insulated therefrom, andother connections to the said solenoids including contacts closed by thepassage of a car at the switch and other contacts selectively closed bythe switch according to the position thereof to selectively energize thesolenoids and thereby hold the switch in its set position while thetrain is on the switch.

'7. In a toy electric railway, a Y track switch, switch throw mechanismincluding reversely acting solenoids for reversely throwing the trackswitch and connections operating between the car and the track forenergizing the respective solenoids with operation of the car fromeither the two-track end or the single end of the Y, said connectionsoperating through the track, a contact along and insulated from thetrack and a second contact carried by the car electrically connectingthe said track and first contact and other connections to the saidsolenoids including contacts closed by the passage of a car at theswitch and other contacts selectively closed by the switch according tothe position thereof to selectively energize the solenoids and therebyhold the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.

8. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switchwith movable switch points for guiding a vehicle from the main track toeither one or the other of the two branch tracks or from either branchtrack to the main track, a source of electric power so connected to thetrack as to propel the vehicle as it passes along the track,electro-magnetic means for shifting said switch points, a conductingelement in each of the two rails of a branch track,'insulated from eachother to form the contact points of an electric switch, and circuitmeans operated by said electric switch as the vehicle approaches themain track from the branch track to supply current from said sourcethrough the Wheels and axles of the vehicle and through the said contactelements to energize said electro-magnetic means.

9. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switchwith movable switch points for guiding a vehicle from the main track toone or the other of the two branch tracks or from either branch track tothe main track, a source of electric power so connected to the track asto propel the vehicle as it passes along the track, electro-magneticmeans for shifting said switch points, said electro-magnetic meanshaving two operating windings, one for shifting the switch points in onedirection and the other for shifting the switch points in the oppositedirection, a conducting element in each rail of each branch track, thetwo conducting elements in each pair of rails insulated from each otherto form the contact points of an electric switch to control one windingof the electro-magnetic means, and circuit means operated by saidelectric switch as the vehicle approaches the main track from eitherbranch track to supply current from said source through the wheels andaxles of the vehicle and through said conducting elements to energizethe proper winding of the electro-magnetic means to automatically movethe switch points to guide the vehicle from that branch track to themain track.

10. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switchwith movable switch points for guiding thevehicle from one or the otherof the branch tracks to the main track or from the main track to one orthe other of the branch tracks, a source of electric power so connectedto the track as to propel the vehicle as it passes along the track,electro-magnetic means for shifting the switch points, a conductingelement in each of the two rails of one branch track insulated from eachother to form the contact points of an electric switch, and circuitmeans operated by said electric switch as the vehicle approaches themain track from the branch track to supply current from saidsource'through the wheels and axles of the vehicle, and through saidcontact elements to control said electro-magnetic means, in combinationwith a hand operated electric switch also arranged to complete a circuitto control said electro-magnetic means from said source of power wherebyas the contact lever is moved to touch either of two contact posts aconnection is closed through the associated circuits to complete acircuit to energize said electro-magnetic means.

11. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switchwith movable switch points for guiding a vehicle from the main track toone or the other of the two branch tracks or from either branch track tothe main track, a source of electric power so connected to the track asto propel the vehicle as it passes along the track, electro-magneticmeans for shifting said switch points, said electro-magnetic meanshaving two operating windings, one for shifting the switch points in onedirection and the other for shifting the switch points in the oppositedirection, a conducting element in each of the two rails of each branchtrack, the two conducting elements in each rail or rails being insulatedfrom each other, to form the contact points of an electric switch tocontrol one winding of the electromagnetic means and .circuit meansoperated by said electric switch as the vehicle approaches the maintrack from either branch track, to supply current from said power sourcethrough the wheels and axles of the vehicle and through the saidconducting elements to energize the proper winding of saidelectro-magnetic means to automatically shift the switch points to guidethe vehicle from that branch track to the main track, in combinationwith a hand operated electric switch with a movable switch leverarranged to make contact with one or the other of the two contact poststo complete circuits to control said electro-magnetic means from saidsource of power whereby as the contact lever is moved to touch a contactpost a connection is closed through the associated circuits to completea circuit to energize said electro-magnetic means thus shifting theswitch points to guide the vehicle to the track desired.

12. In an electric railway, a main track with two branches, said maintrack and branch tracks each comprising two rails for guiding the wheelsof a vehicle and a power conductor insulated from the rails said powerconductor being connected to one terminal of the power source and saidrails being connected to the other terminal of the power source to actas a return conductor, whereby power may be supplied to the vehicle topropel same on the track, a switch with movable switch points forguiding a vehicle from the'main track i to one or the other of twobranch tracks or from either branch track to the main track,electromagnetic means for shifting said switch points, a conductingelement in one rail member of one branch track, and insulated from theremainder of the rail member and from the associated rail member, aconnection from the said conducting element to a terminal of saidelectro-magnetic means and a connection from another terminal of saidelectro-magnetic means to the "terminal of the power source which isconnected to the power conductor whereby a connection is closed throughthe wheels and axles of the vehicle to said conducting element and theopposite rail member of the branch track to complete a circuit toenergize said electro-magnetic means.

13. In an electric railway, a main track with two branch tracks saidmain and branch tracks each comprising two rails for guiding the wheelsof the vehicle and a power conductor insulated from the rails, saidconductor being connected to one terminal of the power source and saidrails being connected to another terminal of the power source to act asa power return conductor whereby the power may be supplied to thevehicle to propel the same on the track a switch with movable switchpoints for guiding the vehicle from the main track to one or the otherof two branch tracks or from either branch track to the main track,electro-magnetic means for shifting the switch points saidelectro-magnetic means having two operating windings one for shiftingthe switch points in one direction and the other for shifting the switchpoints in the opposite direction, a conducting element in one railmember of each branch track and each conducting element insulated fromthe remainder of said rail member and from the associated rail member, aconnection from one of said conducting elements to a terminal of one ofthe operating windings of the electro-magnetic. means and a connectionfrom the other conducting element to a terminal of the other winding ofthe electromagnetic means, a connection from another terminal of each ofthe two operating windings of the electro-magnetic means. to theterminal of the power source which is also connected to the powerconductor associated with the track rails, whereby a connection isclosed through the wheels and axles of the vehicle approaching the maintrack from either branch track to said conducting element and theopposite rail member of that branch track to complete a circuit toenergize the proper winding of the electro-magnetic means to shift theswitch points so as to guide the vehicle from that branch track to themain track.

14. In a toy railroad, a single track, a track switch having one endconnected to the single track, branch tracks to which the switch isadapted to connect its other end alternatively, electric circuitsadapted to be selectively closed to set the switch to the respectivebranch tracks, a contact member in the single track which is alwaysclosed by a train moving toward the 30 switch on the track andelectrical connections including a stationary hand operated electricalswitch for placing the contact member at the track alternatively ineither circuit, whereby a person playing with the toy railroad candetermine the way in which the train will travel without stopping thetrain and nevertheless can have the pleasure of seeing the switchshifted automatically by a train moving toward the switch on the track.

0 15. In a toy railroad, a single track, a track switch having one endconnected to the single track, branch tracks to which the switch isadapted to connect its other end alternatively; electric circuitsadapted to be selectively closed .3 to set the switch to the respectivebranch tracks, a contact member in the single track which is alwaysclosed by a train moving toward the switch on the track and electricalconnections including a stationary hand operated electrical switch for'J placing the contact member at the track alternatively in eithercircuit and means for alternatively connecting the contact member toground, whereby a person playing with the toy railroad can determine theway in which the train will travel without stopping the train andnevertheless can have the pleasure of seeing the switch shiftedautomatically by a train moving toward the switch on the track.

16. In a toy railroad, a single track, a track switch having one endconnected to the single track, branch tracks to which the switch isadapted to connect its other end alternatively, a pair of electriccircuits one of which is adapted when closed, to set the switch to onebranch track and the other adapted when closed, to set the switch thesingle track before the switch in the respective electric circuits, atrain, contact members on the train adapted to selectively engage one orother of the pair of contact members in order to set the switch to onebranch or the other according to the selective adjustment on the train,electrical connections including another contact member on the singletrack nearer to the switch than the pair of contact members andincluding to the other branch track, a pair of contacts on a handadjustment adapted to place the said other contact member into either ofthe circuits at will and the said other contact member being adapted tocooperate with the train so that the passage of the train effectscircuit closure at the contact member nearer the switch to set theswitch either way, according to the position of the hand adjustment,whereby the action of the contact member on the train in setting theswitch may be countermanded at will by the hand adjustment.

17. In a toy railroad, a single track, a mechanical switch having oneend connected to the sinle track, lrz nch tracks to which the rail secofthe switch connect at the other end of the switch, an electric circuithaving a contact on one branch track and including electro-magneticmeans in the circuit adapting closure of the circuit to shift the switchwhen it is otherwise thrown and position the switch to the said onebranch track, in combination with means on a train for closing thecircuit at the contact when the train is approaching the switch alongthe said one branch track, a second circuit adapted to be closed by thepresence of a train on the switch and including the electromagneticmeans of the said first circuit adapted with closure of the said secondcircuit to hold the switch in the position determined by the firstcircuit and a contact means actuated by the switch for energizing theelectromagnetic means when a train is on the switch.

18. In a toy railroad, a single track, a mechanical switch having oneend connected to the single track, branch tracks to which the railsections of the switch connect at the other end of the switch, a switchpoint adapted to guide trains from the single track to either branchtrack or vice versa, an electric circuit having a contact on one branchtrack and including electromagnetic means adapting closure of thecircuit to shift the vitch point when it is in one position and a secondelectric circuit having a contact in the other branch track andincluding electromagnetic means adapted when closed to shift the switchpoint when it is in the other position, in combination with means on atrain for closing the respective circuits at the respective contactswhen the train approaches the switch along the respective branch tracks,a third circuit adapted to be closed by the presence of a train on theswitch and including the means of the first or second circuit forrespectively positioning the switch in its limiting positions and meansadapting the switch by its position to selectively determine which ofthe alternative means is effectively included in the said third circuit.

19. In a toy railroad, a single track, a mechanical switch having oneend connected to the single track, branch tracks to which the railsections of the switch connect at the other end of the switch, a railsection in one of the branch tracks insulated from the adjoining railsections, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by electricallyconnecting the insulated section to the adjoining sections and includingelectromagnetic means in the circuit adapting closure of the circuit toshift the switch when it is otherwise thrown and position the switch tothe said one branch track, the passage of a train over the insulatingsection completing the circuit to set the switch to the said one branchtrack, a second circuit adapted to be closed by the presence of a trainon the mechanical switch and including said electromagnetic means tohold the switch in its limiting position and means adapting themechanical switch by its own position to complete the said secondcircuit through said electromagnetic means.

20. In a toy railroad for electric trains, a sinle track, a mechanicalswitch having one end connected to the single track, branch tracks towhich the rail sections of the switch connect at the other end of theswitch, a third rail along one of the branch tracks for feeding currentfor operating the train, a contact member mounted in the third rail andinsulated therefrom and adapted to be electrically connected to thethird rail by a collecting shoe of the train when the train passes overthe branch track toward the switch, in combination with an electriccircuit including the third rail and the contact member and adapted tobe closed by any electric connection between the third rail and contactmember and including electromagnetic means adapting closure of thecircuit to shift the switch when it is otherwise thrown and position theswitch to the said one branch track, a second circuit adapted to beclosed by the presence of a train on the mechanical switch and includingsaid electromagnetic means adapted with closure of the second circuit tohold the switch in its limiting position, and means adapting themechanical switch by its own position to complete the said secondcircuit through said electromagnetic means.

21. In a toy electric railway, a Y track switch, switch throw mechanismincluding reversely acting solenoids for reversely throwing the trackswitch and connections operating between the car and the track forenergizing the respective solenoids with operation of the car from thetwotrack end of the Y toward the single track end thereof, saidconnections operating through relatively insulated relatively movablenormally spaced contacts along the track brought together by mechanismof the car during the passage thereof, and other connections to the saidsolenoids including other contacts closed by the passage of a car at theswitch and yet other contacts selectively closed by the switch accordingto the position thereof to selectively energize the solenoids andthereby hold the switch in its set position while the train is on theswitch.

22. As an article of manufacture, a unitary track switch section for toyelectric trains adapted to be interchangeable with the usual toy tracksections to permit the usual uninterrupted electric travel of a trainfrom either of two branch tracks to a main track, or vice versa, saidunitary track switch section comprising power rails in the main trackend of the section and the branch track ends of the section, a movableswitch tongue, wheel guiding rails which together with the movableswitch tongue guide the wheels of the train trucks, a source ofpropulsion current connected to the power rails and to at least one ofthe wheel guiding rails in each branch to afford a power supplythroughout the length of the track switch section, electromagnetic meansfor shifting the switch tongue back and forth and having an electricalconnection with one side of the current supply circuit, conductingelements carried by the track switch section, one for each of the branchtracks, each conducting element being normally in open circuit relationwith the other side of the propulsion current supply circuit, and beingconnected to the electromagnetic means to shift the switch tongue tobring the corresponding rail thereof into alignment with the properwheel guiding rail of the corresponding branch track, and meansresponsive to the passage of a truck along either of said branch tracksto effect a closing of the circuit through the corresponding conductingelement whereby the electromagnetic means is energized.

23. The article of manufacture claimed, in claim 22, wherein each of theconducting elements is in the form of an insulated portion of one of thewheel guiding rails.

24. The article of manufacture claimed in claim 22, wherein theconducting element is closely adjacent, but insulated from the powerrail and adapted to be contacted by a train carried current collectorbearing on the power rail.

25. The article of manufacture claimed in .claim 22, wherein theconducting element is spring pressed toward open circuit position and ismoved to circuit closing position by the load of the passing trucks ofthe train.

26. An article of manufacture such as claimed in claim 22, wherein theelectromagnetic means comprises two solenoid coils, each connected tothe corresponding conducting element, and an armature connected to theswitch tongue.

27. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switchwith movable switch points for guiding a vehicle from the main track toeither one or the other of the two branch tracks or from either branchtrack to the main track, a source of propulsion current connected to thetrack to propel the vehicle as it passes along the track, propulsioncurrent operated electromagnetic means for shifting said switch points,a conducting element adjacent a rail of each of in; the branch tracks,the conducting elements being spring pressed toward open position andinsulated from each other to form the contact points of an electricswitch, and circuit means operated by said electric switch as thevehicle -i approaches the main track from the branch track to depressthe corresponding conducting element to circuit closing position andcomplete the circuit through the electromagnetic means and source. 4

28. In a toy railroad, rails forming main and branch tracks, a trackswitch adapted to connect the main and. branch tracks selectively, anelectric circuit when closed adapted electrically to set the switch toone of said branch tracks, a 5 second circuit adapted electrically toset the switch to the other branch track, a plurality of means locatedrespectively in the two branch tracks through which connection is maderespectively one to one circuit and the other to the other circuit,electrical mechanism at the switch for holding the switch in setposition when the train is on the switch and including mechanism on thetrain adapted to energize one of said circuits and not to energize theother of said circuits and means on the train for operating the saidrespective means as the train approaches the switch along the respectivebranch tracks to insure proper setting of the switch from. the branchtrack to the main track.

29. In a toy railroad, rails comprising a single track, rails comprisingeach of two branching tracks therefrom, a mechanical switch adapted toconnect either said branch track with the single track, separateelectrical circuits adapted when actuated to throw the switch in onedirection or in the other direction, mechanically operated electricswitches located between the rails of the single track, adapted whenactuated to close one or other of said circuits, the switches be freefrom engagement with either switch in spaced from one anothertransversely of the track and so located at difierent distances acrossthe track in which they are placed that the distances of each switchfrom the respective rails are materially different from each of thedistances of the other from the respective rails, and operating meanscarried by a train and comprising a'transversely extending shaft havingradial arms thereon spaced from one another longitudinally of andangularly about the shaft and the shaft and its arms locatedin positionfor one arm in one angular position of the shaft to engage one of saidswitches in one direction of train travel and to be free from engagementwith either switch in an opposite direction of train travel, and for theother arm in another angular position of the shaft to engage the otherof said switches in one direction of train travel and to the oppositedirection of train travel.

30. In a toy railroad, rails forming main and branch tracks, a trackswitch having a shiftable switch tongue adapted to connect the main andbranch tracks selectively, a third rail extending through the main andbranch tracks, electrical circuits for the respective branch tracks eachincluding a two coil electromagnetic device for controlling the positionof the track switch tongue, the separate circuits each including circuitclosing means in the branch and main line tracks respectively eachcomprising an insulated track rail adapted to be grounded by the runninggear of a vehicle on said track, a lead connected to said insulatedtrack rail and to a coil of the electromagnet, and a lead connecting thethird rail to the other ends of the coils.

WILLIAM E. HAUPT.

